Outwitting the Devil: The Secret to Freedom and Success by Napoleon Hill

Outwitting the Devil: The Secret to Freedom and Success Reviews

• 
  Rashida

  This is quite possibly one of the most thought provoking and life changing books I've read to date. If you read this I urge you to do so with an open mind, understanding that it is NOT IMPORTANT whether you think it's the real devil or a metaphor. Either way, these are things that do hold a lot of us back from success.
  
  Let his perspective inspire your own. I personally know that I've been "a drifter" as he describes, and can even catch myself almost falling back into it from time to time.
  
  Makes me wonder what the world would be like if everyone didn't become discouraged by fears and defeats. I don't know about you, but I plan on being in the 2% that isn't!
  
  READ ITTTTT :)
  
• 
  Becky Reed

  
  I just read the latest publication of Napoleon Hill that was set aside over 80 years ago, Outwitting the Devil, the Secret to Freedom and Success. In the two years following my trek into the “bowels of the Twilight Zone,” I sank into the quicksand of a self-sustaining process with a narcissist/psychopath and his clan. I found myself buoyed in a current of some strange delusion of life and hoping that somehow I could be saved. I had no idea where or how that might arise as an agonizing crisis of faith had thrown a veil of unhappiness over me.
  
  As described in Hill’s book, I had “drifted away from self-determinism without purpose or a plan...this was procrastination” as I put reaching definite decisions on a back burner. Fear is an awesome presence. We pretend it has no influence over our thought patterns but we carry the stressful worry of criticism...that we might have failed, that we were not and may not be up to the task of creating a positive and happy life, and that we are somehow less than we hoped.
  
  The book, Outwitting the Devil , states so powerfully that “drifters of thought and thinking patterns cry that the world has run dry of opportunities, but non-drifters do not wait for opportunity - they create these.” Within the pages of the book, an interview between the author and the Devil is taking place. It’s reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. The Devil’s great concern is that real thinkers may appear on earth... and they would share with others the “greatest of all truths - that the time spent fearing something would, if reversed, give mankind all he wants in the material world and save him after death.” The problem exists as more than choice of thoughts. One must be repetitive to the point of establishing an ongoing rhythm that flows without effort. This rhythm is the “last stage of habit.” Drifting and procrastination are the same practical knowledge. Hypnotic rhythm makes dominating thoughts AND thinking patterns permanent.
  
  So, during these two years away from the insanity that had become "home," I have been floundering a bit, but also climbing forward. To think my own thoughts...to be a Don Quixote for my own beliefs...to make decisions and accept the consequences along with awareness of involved dynamics and effects upon others, to risk applying different techniques, and to decrease my need for the approval of others. This isn't to say that I no longer find camaraderie of like minded souls important, but I can keep my own counsel and engage in reflective contemplation with a sense of something greater than the smaller me.
  
  Each person, to live with purpose, must intend to awaken to his own power of determinism - cause and effect. The goal that guides the action must also be accompanied by a sense of ethical responsibility. Discernment is part of this knowledge with judgment. So, Hill’s phrase “how to fail successfully” makes a great deal of sense. We can learn from adversity. There is a difference between temporary defeat and failure. To work the system of creative energy, one needs passion, talent, high level associations, choosing to take right actions, and faith. Described as the “stronger sister of hope,” (Emmet Fox) faith is definiteness of deliberate aim backed by the belief in the accomplishment of the objective.
  
  And yet, we humans require a payment to ourselves and that comes in the form of happiness. Because there are exchanges in this energy-web of living, one of the best ways to discover personal joy is to find a service to provide. There is a harmony that evolves from developing a purpose in one’s own mental, spiritual, and physical landscape. As you gain a discipline over yourself, thoughts, controlling influences, and awareness of repercussions, one feels a unique power of connectedness. Napoleon Hill used a Mastermind group of admired people throughout history to serve on his “Roundtable” as he imagined their responses, actions, and teaching guidance when mulling ideas and plans. The secret is to grow an understanding heart and rebirth or rebuilding of character as we move into a reality of our choosing. Time is necessary in the sense that habitual connection to life's energies of decency help channel our own growth. Challenges will arise, but if we have become advocates for our own self-hood and establish a set of principles for our ideas of right conduct, we can each feel the exhilaration of choice, knowing there is more than the individual "I." When the student is ready...
  
• 
  Tre Scott

  While the original author's text makes for a good read - or listen - the continuous interruptions of the annotator, Sharon Lechter, forced me to discontinue after about 40 minutes. Every time the story gained a little momentum, Ms. Lechter butted in.
  
  I then re-edited the audiobook, removing Ms. Lechter's commentary so that I could enjoy it in peace.
  
  If you've already purchased the audio version, but would like to be able to listen to it cleanly, let me know and I can email it to you.
• 
  Mark

  This book was fascinating!
  I have read Think and Grow Rich, The law of Success, and have the Keys to Success audio series so I figured I pretty much had all of NH's material. Wow was I ever wrong.
  
  First off after a short story about himself after he lost all his money in the depression and the strange turn of events he experienced he goes into a Question and Answer series with the devil. This made for very quick reading. His years of interviewing the successful people and failed folks of his day are melded together in the devil's answers.
  
  The work is extremely controversial to the religious community and the public school system. The devil explaiins why the two supposedly diffferent systems actual work hand in hand to deliver 98% of all of us to the devil.
  
  Another law is also introduced in this book that is not in his other works.
  
  This is a must read for anyone who wants to be successful!
• 
  مشاري الإبراهيم

  Reached midway through the book and decided to stop reading.
  
  Was too cheesy, obvious, and dramatic for my taste.
• 
  Jeff

  If you're facing adversity or in the middle of a life change, this is a great book to read. A great challenge to your mindset on whatever it is you are currently facing. Some takeaways:
  
  * The capacity to surmount failure without being discouraged is the chief asset of every person who attains outstanding success in any calling.
  
  * The seven principles to attain spiritual, physical and mental freedom:
  1. Definiteness of purpose.
  2. Mastery over self.
  3. Learning from adversity.
  4. Controlling environmental influence (associations)
  5. Time (giving permanency to positive rather than negative thought-habits and developing wisdom)
  6. Harmony (acting with definiteness of purpose to become the dominating influence in your own mental, spiritual and physical environment.)
  7. Caution (thinking through your plan before your act.)
  
  * "The person who moves with definiteness of purpose recognizes the difference between temporary defeat and failure. When plans fail he substitutes others but he does not change his purpose. He perseveres."
  
  * "You are entitled to know that two entities occupy your body. One of these entities is motivated by and responds to the impulse of fear. The other is motivated by and responds to the impulse of faith. Will you be guided by faith or will you allow fear to overtake you?"
  
  * "Your only limitation is the one which you set up in your mind."
  
  * Is prayer a part of your life? Do you trust God to 'hand over the plan best suited for the attainment of the object' of your prayer? Do you acknowledge that in order for your plan to be successful you must take action?
  
  * Every adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage.
  
  * The six most effective fears are the fear of poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of love, old age and death.
  
  * Habits come in pairs, triplets, and quadruplets. Any habit which weakens one's will power invites a flock of its relatives to move in and take possession of the mind.
  
  * A drifter is one who permits himself to be influenced and controlled by circumstances outside of his own mind.
  
  * Victory goes to the people who know what they want and are determined to have it.
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Joe

  A very interesting book on the dangers of destructive and negative thinking, something very widespread in society today with catchy addictive headlines about disaster and promising more disaster.
  
  In order to avoid getting sucked into blaming the government, the banks, the rich, your parents, your boss etc... for your problems and taking control of your life essentially you need to:
  
  1. Have a definite purpose in life (to look after your family, accumulate wealth, help others..)
  2. Mastery over self
  3. Learning from adversity (don't give up after small temporary defeats, learn something and keep going)
  4. Controlling environmental influence (associations - avoid associating with people who bring you down)
  5. Time - giving permanency to positive rather than negative thought-habits and developing wisdom
  6. Harmony (acting with definiteness of purpose to become the dominating influence in your own mental) spiritual and physical environment)
  7. Caution (thinking through your plan before you act)
  
  All humans have free will, but we can't change the weather, the economy or much else. All we do have complete control over are:
  1) Our own thoughts
  2) How we spend our time
  
  Think carefully, use your time wisely and see what a difference it makes
• 
  Susan Highland

  I won this book in the giveaway, and received it yesterday! I can NOT put it down! This is the BEST book I ever read, and I highly recommend it to everyone! It is not yet released, but can be purchased on Amazon, and sent to you when it is released! It's making me crazy, because I want everyone in my family and all of my friends to read it, but I can't purchase for them yet! It is uplifting, inspiring, and timely!
  
  This was written in 1938, and sat for 72 years unpublished. Very timely release, and everyone could benefit from it! The meat of the book is an interview with the Devil, and the answers given by the Devil will show you just how you can be manipulated by fear, and you will be so MAD, you will recognize the deceit, and rise above it!
  
  Now, when I recognize fear creeping in, I think, "You are NOT messing with my head, you stupid Devil!"
  
  Stay tuned!
• 
  Adam

  Was listening to the audio version of this book, and while I'm a big fan of Hill, the constant intrusion of the editor's POV and her constant explanations and justifications as to why this work is pertinent now was so frustrating I had to stop.
  
  I might have to read the print version so I can skip over the editor's incessant need to explain every detail. It reminds me of going to the movies with someone who has already seen the picture and can't keep their mouth shut. They keep telling you why this or that happened, removing the joy of figuring it out for yourself.
  
  I was really engaged in the book but the constant interruptions were driving me crazy, so I stopped listening.
  
  Really good stuff though. I'd enjoy reading the original manuscript. Anyway, just my two cents.
• 
  Doug Crowe

  I believe I've read over 100 books on personal development, success and business. I had a top 10 list already...now I have a top 11 list.
  
  Thank you, Sharon, for bringing this to life.
  
  "Outwitting the Devil" is a personal favorite and one I am recommending to all of my friends, children and acquaintances.
  
  Brilliant work...simply brilliant.
• 
  Tyler Storm

  This book is exactly what I needed
  
  I have let too many anonymous people from various internet forums turn me into a serious debbie downer. This book really fixed my mood and character. So grateful to come across this book. Really helped me out a lot to change my mood and habits.
  
  I would recommend this book to anyone. It's a very quick read you can probably finish it in 3 days if you really wanted to. I took meticulous notes while reading this book. Summary of this book is the power of the mind and dominating thoughts become their physical equivalent. Try to be positive and not negative. You have negative thoughts regarding getting a job, getting good grades, wealth, etc thought thoughts will become reality if they dominate your mind. People pick up on body language and can tell when something is off. So, I really like this book and will probably reread when law school starts since it is short and easy to digest.
• 
  Yemi Obayanju

  So many lessons behind this book. I really
  liked the breakdown of the 7 principles. A must read for all. But you must go into reading this novel with an open mind for it will not disappoint.
• 
  ScienceOfSuccess

  I'd give this book 6/5 if I had a proof that it was written 100years ago or so, as author claims.
  
  This is the self help book I had in my mind, the book that says "most people work on autopilot, and you can manage them".
  
  Probably even better than think and grow rich.
• 
  Diego Eis

  “A pessoa que não domina a si mesma jamais poderá ser líder de outras.”
  
  Gostei bastante do início do livro onde Napoleon conta um episódio da sua história. Logo depois dessa história, ele começa a entrevista com o diabo. A ideia é entendermos como formamos os nossos medos e as limitações que isso nos traz. Na entrevista, o Diabo faz uma série de explicações sobre como ele usa obstáculos como procrastinação, raiva, ciúmes, morte, pobreza e outros, limitando nossa percepção e racionalidade ao lidar com a vida cotidiana.
  
  Pra ser bastante franco, o livro é bem chato. :-)
• 
  Светослава Радева

  Имам книгата от 2 години, а е в листата ми за четене от преди това. Няколко пъти започвам да я чета, но все нещо друго ме “отнасяше по течението”. Последните няколко месеца направих драстични промени в живота си и начина си на мислене и ето че като естествено продължение дойде и нейния ред. Изчетох я с огромен интерес и всеки отговор на дявола асоциирах с вече минала ситуация, намерено решение и взета поука.
  
  Всяко нещо идва в точния момент в живота - нито по-рано, нито по-късно; идва, когато си готов и узрял за него.
  
  Препоръчвам на всеки който е осъзнал, че ние сме господари на живота си. Бихме били по-щастливи, ако се вземем в ръце и направим нещ�� смислено, вместо да го пропилеем безцелно носейки се по течението.
• 
  Aline

  I thought it would be a bit "darker", but I'm glad it wasn't :D
  Very important messages! It'll definitely help me in my life.
  
  It's so interesting that this was written in 1938, held back all these years and only published in 2011.
  It's thought provoking even now. Try to imagine people reading this back then, they probably would have fainted :D
• 
  Guilherme Zeitounlian

  A lot of people recommended this book to me, so I was eager to read it.
  
  I had read another book from Napoleon Hill - Think And Grow Rich - in 2014 (over six years ago), and it impacted me at the time.
  
  Concepts such as the importance of mindset (and even obsession) were totally new to me. I enjoyed that book, and was curious about this one.
  
  Outwitting the Devil is comprised of a short introduction of Hill and his personal story, followed by a dialogue - an interview - with Devil himself ("His Majesty").
  
  There also notes from the "editor" every few paragraphs. Those notes have the main function of irritating the reader and breaking the flow of the book.
  
  Some parts of the interview are very compelling. However, it quickly becomes repetitive, and it was a drag to finish the last 1/3 of the book.
  
  You can realize that the book is a bit dated. But, at the same time, some of the critiques are eerily up to date.
  
  For example, it is sad and worrisome to think about all the ways the world changed between 1930 and 2020, but school remains pretty much the same.
  
  Outwitting the Devil is not a long book, and if you never read anything in personal development (self-help, or whatever you may call it), this might be a good start.
  
  At this particular time in my life, I did not feel this book added much.
  
  But this does not detract from the importance of its message.
  
  Its key ideas are very similar to the ones in Think And Grow Rich:
  - work hard,
  - be independent,
  - do not fall into bad vices,
  - do not believe what all the "authorities" (church, school, parents) tell you,
  - be aware of your thoughts and habits (do not "drift")...
  
  Lest the Devil will control you.
  
  And that is a message that bears remembering.
• 
  Douglas

  Primeiro livro que leio de Napoleon Hill, a história se baseia em um homem que oscilou do sucesso a miséria algumas vezes até que em um "mastermind" se viu entrevistando (formato de pergunta e resposta) o diabo e "desvenda" todos os segredos dele. Por trás estaria um período de guerra e entre guerras e o contexto de época (lei seca, miséria medo, religião com um peso grande, etc).
  
  Até aí ok, e que me perdoem os que gostaram do livro, mas eu, particularmente, achei um grande "mais do mesmo". É um amontoado de posicionamentos de auto ajuda simplórios e frases rasas. Talvez quando foi escrito o livro fora disruptivo em formato, fantasia por trás de tudo, linguagem, etc, mas em 2020 qualquer "coach" de 5a categoria está usando dessas mesmas estruturas - o que não quer dizer que é uma estrutura de insucesso, apenas que é uma estrutura simplória de fácil disseminação. E aqui não estou sendo preconceituoso em que o que é fácil não deve ir adiante, mas sim mostrando a simplicidade do livro como ponto extremamente raso, que é quase um descaso com o leitor.
  
  Além disso achei que o formato da tradução poderia ser melhorado (talvez uma revisão cairia bem) em várias frases se percebe que, talvez para manter mais fiel à frase completa no inglês, "sobra" palavras no português. Um pouco de interpretação e atualização cairia bem.
• 
  Camelia

  Despite being written almost 80 years ago, the world problems signaled throughout the book are incredibly timely - from the aimless, futile education system, to the parents inculcating fear upon their children, to the church which builds its entire argument around the fear of Evil, to the power of the so-called hypnotic rhythm and many, many other things like this.
  
  Leaving aside the imaginary conversation with the devil (which may be found offending by some readers), this book summarizes perfectly all the things that lead people to abandon their way and stray, losing themselves in worldly pleasures of all sorts. Moreover, it highlights the best practices to avoid these deviations (through self control, self discipline, definiteness of purpose, caution), presenting them in a very clear and easy-to-understand language.
  
  I really liked the kind of information it contains and the approach, and I have already taken note of certain aspect of my life which required a good deal of improvement. I highly recommend it to anyone willing to think for themselves.
• 
  Plamena

  Книгата и хубава. Ако обаче читателят е почитател на този жанр книги, няма да отрие нищо ново.
• 
  Isabela

  Devo confessar que, por ser um dos livros mais vendidos do mundo e tão influente quanto poderia ser (v. Escrito em meados da Primeira Grande Depressão), me causou certo espanto o fato de que o YouTube esteja lotado de vídeos que reproduzem os mesmos ensinamentos traçados pelo livro. E isso me gera um questionamento interno de: se se passaram tantos anos desde que o lido foi lançado e ainda se propagam as mesmas coisas, porque parece que nada muda?
  
  Posso estar afogando profundamente nas águas do equívoco, mas me gera grande desconforto a insistência do autor em defender a necessidade de sempre estar com pensamentos positivos e construir hábitos para tal, para, então, não se tornar um alienado. Mas COMO, em nossa completa humanidade, é possível sempre ter pensamentos positivos? Positividade tóxica alert. É só isso o livro para mim.
  
  Não exclui, por óbvio, outros ensinamentos, os quais, ao meu ver, são eivados de completa superficialidade, que me irritaram e incomodaram. São temas até interessantes, mas que merecem um aprofundamento muito maior, até com fins de evitar equívocos de nomenclatura. Mas, novamente, devemos considerar o período em que o livro foi escrito.
  
  Por fim, deixo minhas profundas insatisfações que motivaram as duas estrelas, por um livro de tamanha magnitude, na esperança de ler outros melhores do autor.
• 
  Alexander Nenov

  Една книга, която ако не бях упорит щях да се откажа да чета. В един момент духовната страна на ещат стана толкова силна, че рационалистът в мен крещеше. Но стоически издържах цялата книга, включително благодарствените бележки, историите на хората работили по книгата и т.н. Оказа се че цялата глава за вярата, всяко споменаване на тази дума е била насочена към читателя, а не към външни свръхестествени сили. На кратко - трябва да замениш страха си с вяра в това че ще успееш. Само тогава ще започнеш реално да виждаш всички възможности около себе си и така твоят план ще започне да се сбъдва. Не чрез божията намеса след молитва, а чрез ясно начертан план подплатен с вяра. Книгата е особена. И все пак я препоръчвам на всеки от първата до последната страница. Ако успеете да вземете дори 1% от безценната информация в тази книга, животът ви ще претърпи рязка промяна към по-добро. Звуча като евангелист, но всъщност не съм. Просто знам, че това е един добър фундамент за всеки човек, решил да вземе живота си в ръце.
• 
  Andre-Louis

  “Through the operation of the law of compensation, everyone reaps that which he sows. Plans based on unjust or immoral motives may bring temporary success, but enduring success must take into consideration the fourth dimension, time. Time is the enemy of immorality and injustice. It is the friend of justice and morality. Failure to recognize this fact has been responsible for the crime wave among the youths of the world. The youthful, inexperienced mind is apt to mistake temporary success for permanency. The youth often makes the mistake of coveting the temporary gains of immoral, unjust plans, but neglects to look ahead and observe the penalties which follow as definitely as night follows day.”
• 
  Javatis Midget

  This book is a must read for everyone. Initially I was going to give this book three stars because the message wasn't new; however as I neared the end, it reaffirmed everything that I have read and believed thus far from another angle which allowed me to thoroughly enjoy it. It reiterated if we just apply the knowledge we've gained, life will give us the new direction we are looking for. The seven principles Mr. Hill identified made so much sense. One of the main ones for me is “Self Discipline”. It we master self discipline, the sky will be the limit (infinite intelligence). Read this book!!!